Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Cookies: A Decadent Combination of Rich Cocoa and Sweet Cherries

These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a delightful treat, featuring a rich chocolate base and a luscious cherry-infused ganache center. Perfect for special occasions or when you’re in the mood for something indulgent, these cookies bring together the deep flavors of Dutch-process cocoa with the tart sweetness of cherry preserves for an irresistible bite-sized dessert.

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Cookies:

• 1 ½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• ½ cup (40 g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¾ cup (168 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
• 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:

• 5 oz chocolate, chopped (preferably Endangered Species Chocolate Vibrant Cherries + Dark Chocolate)
• ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (90 ml) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (85 g) cherry preserves

Directions:

1. Prepare the Chocolate Cookie Dough:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed (or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment).
• Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.

2. Shape and Chill the Dough:

• Scoop the dough into 32 portions using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop and roll each portion into a ball.
• Press the center of each dough ball with a ¼ teaspoon to create an indent. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. Bake the Cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange 8 cookies per sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes (10 minutes is ideal for a perfect bake).
• After removing the cookies from the oven, press the centers again to deepen the indent if needed. Optionally, use a circular cookie cutter to shape the cookies into perfect rounds while still hot.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Make the Chocolate Cherry Ganache:

• Place the chopped chocolate in a medium bowl.
• Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just about to boil, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth.
• Stir in the cherry preserves until fully combined and glossy.

5. Assemble the Cookies:

• Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the ganache into the center of each cooled cookie.
• Chill the cookies in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to allow the ganache to set properly.

Recipe Notes:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Chill Time: 1 hour
• Cooking Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Calories: 160 kcal per cookie
• Servings: 32 cookies

A Luxurious Treat for Chocolate and Cherry Lovers

These Chocolate Cherry Cookies combine the best of both worlds: the richness of chocolate with the bright, fruity burst of cherry. The smooth chocolate cherry ganache nestled in the center of each cookie creates a luxurious and elegant touch, perfect for celebrations or when you simply want to treat yourself.

Make these cookies for your next gathering or as a thoughtful homemade gift—they’re guaranteed to be a hit! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, and enjoy them for up to three days.

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